What is the role about? The Senior Conservation Officer leads a small team delivering a wide range of work to save priority species (particularly turtle doves) and habitats (deciduous woodland, coastal and wetland). Key delivery tools include planning casework, advocating good conservation practice across landscapes, working with partners, leading projects, empowering people to save nature, and land management and species advisory work. This role has a vitally important external element, building positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders so that our collective policies and messages are understood and furthered. Significant development and people pressure in the South-East is a threat and an opportunity, therefore, engaging with development and strategies to protect nature from detrimental development, mitigating recreational disturbance and driving people-powered nature recovery will be key. The RSPB is committed to increasing equality, inclusivity, and diversity; The contract is a full-time maternity contract for up to 12 months. It will be home-based with the option of working from the RSPB Brighton Office and will require travel to meetings and site visits. Key Activities And Areas Of Competency Will Include Lead the Conservation Team work programme to ensure the delivery of an ambitious work programme, maintaining focus on priority species and habitats Support the delivery of the RSPB’s conservation programme delivery in the Solent Coast & Arun Valley focus areas Leading and supporting on priority casework within the area, as well as relevant policy and strategy consultations, working closely with RSPB England colleagues to contribute to the Site Conservation outcomes of the Saving Nature Strategy. Involvement in individual projects, working collaboratively with RSPB colleagues, particularly reserve staff, as appropriate. This includes RSPB projects and RSPB’s delivery in wider partnership projects. Building positive relationships with landowners / managers and with key partners and other stakeholders so that our collective policies and messages are understood and habitat and species restoration furthered across the area but with a focus on our priority landscapes Identifying opportunities and working collaboratively to steer new policy implementation (e.g. Local Nature Recovery Strategies, Biodiversity Net Gain) to deliver ambitious nature recovery. Essential Skills, Knowledge And Experience Sufficient understanding of the species and habitats; landscape scale conservation; land use and management; planning systems and relevant policy and legislation of the region or country in which this role is based to advise on appropriate responses and interventions Sufficient knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work relevant to the operational area to advise on appropriate responses and interventions Ability to form effective teams (both internally and in external partnerships) and work effectively as a team player Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) – including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences Having confidence in advocating a position to individuals who have different views e.g. professional, persuasive, engaging and confident Ability to liaise with and support different internal stakeholders Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines Competent user of core MS Office programmes Ability to incorporate a people-based approach to conservation in the area including positive community engagement for projects and empowering people to protect and restore nature. Experience of managing staff or volunteers and setting clear work priorities Experience of productive partnerships Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience Desirable Understanding of water quality, coastal processes and water management Experience of negotiating with the public or private sector, to deliver biodiversity benefits, through both regulatory and voluntary means, especially planning casework Effective project management skills Experience of major site conservation casework eg to public inquiry stage Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats This is a maternity cover contract for up to 12 months. The closing date for this vacancy is 17th March, however, as we are actively recruiting for this position, we reserve the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. Interviews to be held virtually at end of March. Should you have any queries relating to this vacancy please contact heather.richardsrspb.org.uk As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract. Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.